Parcel Density Confirmation

[Preston Thomas]

Previously someone asked about the density calculation for the proposed project and we are looking for some clarification on your answer. 

According to the provided code in the important materials folder, unit density is 2.5 units per acre in the OSC zone. Does this mean that the density for a project is 2.5 units per acre of the total acreage of the proposed project? For example, if a project in an OSC zone is 50 acres, would the maximum density be 125 units?

Thank you.

[keltingcs]

Please make sure to review the OSC zoning requirements for green spaces, etc. The calculation is determined by your total building acreage, which is your total acreage, minus any greenspace requirements, minus your roads that you design in your site plan. Be sure to understand what the municipality will count as green space, and what they do not count as green space, as you may have some other areas that you design on your site plan that take away from your total buildable acreage. After you have your total buildable acreage, then you apply the density calculation from the required zoning.

[Bill Ray]

Hi keltingcs,

In the Gwinnett County municipal code they define "Density" as "The number of dwelling units per acre of land" and the following table defines the Max Density as 2.5 units. My team's interpretation has been the Max Density for our 93 acre site is 93 acres of land x 2.5 units per acre = ~233 units. Of course, there are other restrictions to consider that ultimately reduce the number of units we can deliver, but is this the way the competition interprets the limitation imposed by the stated "Max Density?"

Thank you!

[keltingcs]

The total acreage for the site provide is the Gross Acreage. The calculation is determined by the total buildable/net acreage of the site after you subtract the green space requirements and roads from the total gross acreage. Once you have the total buildable acreage after that calculation, then you can use the dwelling units per acre/density units per acre of 2.5 units multiplied by the total buildable acreage to get your unit count. Please make sure that you understand what is allowed to be counted as green space per the OSC zoning. Your total buildable acreage might actually be smaller than the original calculation depending on what you’re adding to your site plan that may or may not be considered green space.